Research Assistant - 1 (Job 1463)

About Us

DLH delivers improved health and national security readiness solutions for federal programs through science, research and development, systems engineering and integration, and digital transformation. Our experts in public health, performance evaluation, and health operations solve the complex problems faced by civilian and military customers alike by leveraging advanced tools – including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud enablement, modeling, and simulation, and more. DLH is dedicated to the idea that “Your Mission is Our Passion” and brings a unique combination of government sector experience, proven methodology, and unwavering commitment to innovation to improve the lives of millions.

Overview

We are seeking a part-time Research Assistant to join our multidisciplinary team supporting manuscript development and finalization (e.g., drafting outlines, writing, creating tables and figures, formatting), literature reviews (e.g., search terms, pulling articles, extracting information), and epidemiologic research (e.g., analyses, drafting analysis plans). Our team includes lead researchers (epidemiologists, biostatisticians), data managers, and analysts who collaborate to design, conduct, and publish research studies for various government clients.

The ideal candidate will have strong writing and organizational skills, familiarity with literature review methods, and comfort working with both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as the ability to delve into various public health topics. You will support DLH researchers and government clients across the full research lifecycle — from manuscript outlines and literature reviews to data collection, coding, and analysis — and contribute to studies addressing significant public health issues.

This position has potential for full-time employment and offers opportunities for professional development, exposure to diverse research methods and topic areas, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. It is well suited to candidates early in their research careers seeking hands-on experience across the manuscript and data lifecycle.

Responsibilities

Writing Support: Contribute to manuscript outlines, Draft background sections based on agreed-upon outlines, address feedback from research leads and collaborators, & Prepare and format reference lists and in-text citations (e.g., EndNote)

Literature Reviews: Conduct systematic and ad hoc searches of literature databases (e.g., PubMed), documenting search terms and articles retrieved; review scientific literature for key study characteristics, including study population, study design, main outcome, and exposure; populate literature review tables accurately and raise questions to the research lead as needed, & Compile key associations to support meta-analyses

Manuscript Submission: Identify and follow journal-specific submission requirements, & Format manuscript text, tables, figures, and references

Presentation Development: Draft slides based on agreed-upon outlines, Format slide decks with consistent themes, & select appropriate templates, logos, and images

Client Report Formatting: Identify and follow specified formatting or template requirements, & assist with formatting text and figures

Data Collection: Identify and review validated research instruments, Program and test questionnaires in REDCap, & Administrative support (e.g., participant contact and tracking)

Analytic Support and Preparation: Review table inputs to identify errors and spot-check results, Format tables for accuracy and consistency, & provide general analysis support and results summaries

Qualitative Research Support Data Collection: Support participant recruitment, Support interview scheduling, maintain participant tracking systems, participate in interviews and take notes as needed, provide general research support as needed

Codebook Development: Review transcripts prior to codebook development, Format and clean transcripts during the review process, develop codebooks in collaboration with the research team, & Upload transcripts and codebooks into qualitative analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose)

Data Coding: Support coding of transcripts & take thematic notes to support future analysis

Analysis: Participate in analysis workshops to discuss themes and develop manuscript outlines & identify supporting quotes for each outline section or theme following outline development

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree with 1-2 years of relevant experience

Coursework or applied experience in epidemiologic methods, biostatistics, or research design

Prior experience with literature reviews, scientific writing, or data collection preferred but not required

Excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills

Ability to collaborate within teams and to work independently

Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with REDCap, NVivo, Dedoose, or statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, SPSS) a plus

Driven to learn new methodological approaches, topical areas, software languages, or other skills as needed

EEO

DLH Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. DLH will provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities and disabled Veterans who need assistance to apply.

DLH is committed to maintaining a fair and authentic interview process